Methods of using Flt-3 ligand for exogenous gene transfer

Abstract

Ligands for flt3 receptors capable of transducing self-renewal signals to regulate the growth, proliferation or differentiation of progenitor cells and stem cells are disclosed. The invention is directed to flt3-L as an isolated protein, the DNA encoding the flt3-L, host cells transfected with cDNAs encoding flt3-L, compositions comprising flt3-L, methods of improving gene transfer to a mammal using flt3-L, and methods of improving transplantations using flt3-L. Flt3-L finds use in treating patients with anemia, AIDS and various cancers.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of transfecting an exogenous gene into an hematopoietic cell comprising the steps of: 
       (a) culturing the hematopoietic stem or progenitor cell in media comprising an effective amount of a flt3-L polypeptide; and  
       (b) transfecting the cultured cells from step (a) with the gene.  
     
     
       2. The method of claim  1  wherein the media contains recombinant flt3-ligand. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim  1  wherein the media contains human flt3-ligand. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim  1  wherein the media contains recombinant human flt3-ligand. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim  1  wherein the media contains murine flt3-ligand. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim  1  wherein the Flt3 ligand is soluble Flt3 ligand. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim  1  wherein the Flt3 ligand consists essentially of amino acids 28 to 182 of SEQ ID NO:6. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim  1  wherein the Flt3 ligand comprises amino acids 28 to 182 of SEQ ID NO:6. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim  4  wherein the media contains IL-6. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim  4  wherein the media contains GM-CSF. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim  4  wherein the media contains stem cell factor. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim  4  wherein the media contains IL-3. 
     
     
       13. A method of transferring an exogenous gene to a mammal comprising the steps of: 
       (a) culturing hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells in media comprising an effective amount of a flt3-L polypeptide;  
       (b) transfecting the cultured cells from step (a) with the gene; and  
       (c) administering the transfected cells to the mammal.  
     
     
       14. The method of claim  13  wherein the media contains recombinant flt3-ligand. 
     
     
       15. The method of claim  13  wherein the media contains human flt3-ligand. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim  13  wherein the media contains recombinant human flt3-ligand. 
     
     
       17. The method of claim  13  wherein the media contains murine flt3-ligand. 
     
     
       18. The method of claim  2  wherein the Flt3 ligand is soluble Flt3 ligand. 
     
     
       19. The method of claim  2  wherein the Flt3 ligand consists essentially of amino acids 28 to 182 of SEQ ID NO:6. 
     
     
       20. The method of claim  2  wherein the Flt3 ligand comprises amino acids 28 to 182 of SEQ ID NO:6. 
     
     
       21. The method of claim  16  wherein the media contains IL-6. 
     
     
       22. The method of claim  16  wherein the media contains GM-CSF. 
     
     
       23. The method of claim  16  wherein the media contains stem cell factor. 
     
     
       24. The method of claim  16  wherein the media contains IL-3.